Cosmetology at Corinth Academy of Cosmetology

Corinth Academy graduates earn less than three-quarters of the national median for cosmetology programs ($14,608 versus $17,113), ranking in just the 23rd percentile nationally. However, context matters here: among Mississippi's 28 cosmetology schools, this program actually performs above the state median, placing at the 60th percentile. The state's top community colleges—Hinds, Northwest Mississippi, and Meridian—produce graduates earning $17,500-$17,700, roughly $3,000 more annually than Corinth graduates.

The $10,500 in median debt sits near national norms, but with first-year earnings barely above minimum wage, graduates face a challenging financial start. The debt represents about 72% of their first-year income, meaning loan payments will take a substantial bite from already-tight budgets. The 23% earnings growth to $17,975 by year four helps, but even these later wages remain below what graduates from the state's community colleges earn right out of school.

For Mississippi families, community colleges offer a clearer path: similar or lower debt with $3,000 higher starting salaries. That difference—roughly $250 per month—matters significantly at these income levels. Unless Corinth offers specific advantages like location or scheduling that make those community colleges impractical, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere in the state for better financial returns on your cosmetology investment.